Chicago Bound
She did it…and then some!! Megan was accepted to every graduate program she applied to. But when the #1 school in the nation for your specialty calls, you answer. In just a few short weeks, she’ll be heading to the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice for an accelerated program, having already completed the equivalent of her first year during her final year at Boise State.
With a 4.0 GPA her last two years, a coveted internship her senior year (in which she completed 480 hours working with Ada County's Juvenile Services all while also taking a full course load and being President of her sorority), and an unwavering work ethic…I’d say Chicago saw exactly what we’ve always known when they also awarded her a generous scholarship. (Yes, this Mama is bragging a bit. I can't help myself!) She also has accepted a Field Practicum placement at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County, IL where she will be practicing system-level advocacy for foster care youth.
All achievements and accolades aside, what makes me pause as her Mother and think, “how lucky am I to witness this?” is who Megan is at her core. It’s her heart and her deep commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion. It’s how she uses her voice (and her life) to make things better for others. It’s how she is happiest when she is doing work that truly matters.
Below, I’m sharing the essay questions and answers she submitted with her application that helped tell her story. Her writing is thoughtful, articulate, and deeply rooted in compassion and justice. She speaks about inequity, dignity, and systems with a clarity that feels both studied and lived. The way she connects her early observations of disparity to her future goals…the way she balances clinical work with advocacy…the way she leads, reflects, and chooses her words so intentionally, it’s all so undeniably her.
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1. What motivates you to pursue a career in social work, and how do you plan to make an impact in this field?
During my upbringing, I observed a marked contrast between the inclusive values modeled within my family and those prevalent in the broader community. My family embraced diverse perspectives and affirmed individuals’ self-determination regarding their lives and relationships. In contrast, I often encountered indifference or rejection of difference outside my home. Although I lived in a neighborhood where the average household income was nearly four times the federal poverty level, my perspective as the child of a school teacher made me acutely aware of disparities among my peers. The wealth gap was evident: some students drove new cars while others faced housing insecurity. Witnessing this imbalance at a young age was both disorienting and formative, prompting early questions about fairness, opportunity, and the prioritization of needs within our systems. Later, leaving my community confirmed that these inequities are widespread and embedded across many social structures.
As a future master-level social worker specializing in Direct Practice, I intend to integrate clinical work with advocacy. My goal is to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive services that promote self-determination while also challenging policies and institutional practices that perpetuate inequity, particularly within mental health and youth-serving systems. This specialization will equip me with advanced assessment and intervention skills and enhance my ability to navigate power dynamics within therapeutic relationships. By combining micro-level practice with macro-level awareness, I aim to contribute to systems that support individuals, families, and communities more equitably.
2. Describe a challenging situation you faced in a work or volunteer setting related to social work. How did you address it?
During my practicum at Ada County Juvenile Services, I have had to balance what clients need with the rules set by the agency and government policies. For example, a counselor at the elementary school wanted an eight-week prevention program to focus on self-esteem and suicide ideation. Since the students are only 9 or 10 years old, I discussed this idea with the agency supervisor. Discussing suicide ideation is problematic when I do not know these students well or have much information about their backgrounds. The agency follows state and federal laws, so as an intern, I could not have those risk based conversations without potential harm. I explained this to the counselor, and together we decided to focus on self-esteem and individuality for the group instead. These topics serve as preventive measures for self harm.
Serving as Chapter President of Alpha Chi Omega, a sorority of approximately 240 members at Boise State University, has significantly shaped my understanding of power, responsibility, and ethical leadership. In this capacity, I guide a large and diverse group, balancing accountability with compassion and fostering a culture of inclusion, trust, and support. I regularly assist members facing personal, academic, and mental health challenges while upholding organizational standards. This role has required me to navigate complex power dynamics, maintain confidentiality, and make decisions that prioritize both individual well-being and collective responsibility. Leading within an institution with a complicated reputation has reinforced my belief that meaningful change is possible within existing systems when leaders are intentional, values-driven, and equity-focused.
3. Reflect on an experience where you worked with a diverse group of people. What did you learn about equity and inclusion from this experience?
My service-learning and professional roles with the YMCA, including the THRIVE program and Aquability, have provided opportunities to work with neurodiverse individuals and their families. Beginning as an Aquability aide and progressing to instructor, I have learned to meet individuals at their current abilities and to honor their fears, strengths, and pace of growth. Teaching swimming to those experiencing anxiety or sensory challenges emphasized the importance of empathy, patience, and relationship-building. Although I am confident in my own swimming abilities, I recognized that my comfort cannot supersede another person’s fear. These experiences have strengthened my capacity to center clients’ lived experiences rather than rely on my own assumptions, a practice that aligns closely with social work values.
Attending the National Latinx Conference during my summer Internship with In Motion Counseling, allowed me to engage with a diverse group of students, professionals, and advocates from various backgrounds. Through workshops and discussions on mental health, education, and community-based practice, I learned that equity requires intentional efforts to honor lived experiences, language, and cultural identity. This experience highlighted the importance of culturally responsive practice and the necessity of listening to marginalized voices rather than speaking on their behalf. I left the conference with a deeper understanding that inclusion requires both self-reflection and action, involving challenging biases, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and advocating for systems that promote access and belonging for all.
4. Considering the core values of social work as described in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, which one resonates most with you and why?
The NASW core value that resonates most deeply with me is the dignity and worth of the person. This value reflects the foundation of why I am drawn to social work, recognizing that every individual deserves respect, compassion, and self-determination regardless of their background, circumstances, or challenges. Throughout my academic and field experiences, I have seen how systems can overlook or minimize individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.
An example where I see this value most needed in our current practice and policy is immigration reform. I’ve witnessed how Immigration debates often reduce people to labels; “undocumented,” “asylum seeker,” “migrant.” Grounding reform in dignity ensures policies recognize migrants as full human beings with histories, families, and aspirations, not as administrative problems to be managed.
Policies rooted in dignity reject practices that dehumanize - family separation, prolonged detention, unsafe conditions, or barriers to due process. Instead, they promote reforms that safeguard basic rights, access to legal representation, and protection from exploitation or abuse. I acknowledge this will require intentional listening, cultural humility, and an understanding of how structural barriers impact lived experiences, all skills and experiences I expect to build upon through graduate work. This value guides my approach to practice by reminding me to see clients as experts of their own lives, honor their strengths, and advocate for environments that affirm their humanity. By centering dignity and worth, I aim to build trust, promote empowerment, and contribute to more equitable and ethical social work practice.
As a future master-level social worker specializing in Direct Practice, I intend to integrate clinical work with advocacy. My goal is to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive services that promote self-determination while also challenging policies and institutional practices that perpetuate inequity, particularly within mental health and youth-serving systems. This specialization will equip me with advanced assessment and intervention skills and enhance my ability to navigate power dynamics within therapeutic relationships. By combining micro-level practice with macro-level awareness, I aim to contribute to systems that support individuals, families, and communities more equitably.
2. Describe a challenging situation you faced in a work or volunteer setting related to social work. How did you address it?
During my practicum at Ada County Juvenile Services, I have had to balance what clients need with the rules set by the agency and government policies. For example, a counselor at the elementary school wanted an eight-week prevention program to focus on self-esteem and suicide ideation. Since the students are only 9 or 10 years old, I discussed this idea with the agency supervisor. Discussing suicide ideation is problematic when I do not know these students well or have much information about their backgrounds. The agency follows state and federal laws, so as an intern, I could not have those risk based conversations without potential harm. I explained this to the counselor, and together we decided to focus on self-esteem and individuality for the group instead. These topics serve as preventive measures for self harm.
Serving as Chapter President of Alpha Chi Omega, a sorority of approximately 240 members at Boise State University, has significantly shaped my understanding of power, responsibility, and ethical leadership. In this capacity, I guide a large and diverse group, balancing accountability with compassion and fostering a culture of inclusion, trust, and support. I regularly assist members facing personal, academic, and mental health challenges while upholding organizational standards. This role has required me to navigate complex power dynamics, maintain confidentiality, and make decisions that prioritize both individual well-being and collective responsibility. Leading within an institution with a complicated reputation has reinforced my belief that meaningful change is possible within existing systems when leaders are intentional, values-driven, and equity-focused.
3. Reflect on an experience where you worked with a diverse group of people. What did you learn about equity and inclusion from this experience?
My service-learning and professional roles with the YMCA, including the THRIVE program and Aquability, have provided opportunities to work with neurodiverse individuals and their families. Beginning as an Aquability aide and progressing to instructor, I have learned to meet individuals at their current abilities and to honor their fears, strengths, and pace of growth. Teaching swimming to those experiencing anxiety or sensory challenges emphasized the importance of empathy, patience, and relationship-building. Although I am confident in my own swimming abilities, I recognized that my comfort cannot supersede another person’s fear. These experiences have strengthened my capacity to center clients’ lived experiences rather than rely on my own assumptions, a practice that aligns closely with social work values.
Attending the National Latinx Conference during my summer Internship with In Motion Counseling, allowed me to engage with a diverse group of students, professionals, and advocates from various backgrounds. Through workshops and discussions on mental health, education, and community-based practice, I learned that equity requires intentional efforts to honor lived experiences, language, and cultural identity. This experience highlighted the importance of culturally responsive practice and the necessity of listening to marginalized voices rather than speaking on their behalf. I left the conference with a deeper understanding that inclusion requires both self-reflection and action, involving challenging biases, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and advocating for systems that promote access and belonging for all.
4. Considering the core values of social work as described in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, which one resonates most with you and why?
The NASW core value that resonates most deeply with me is the dignity and worth of the person. This value reflects the foundation of why I am drawn to social work, recognizing that every individual deserves respect, compassion, and self-determination regardless of their background, circumstances, or challenges. Throughout my academic and field experiences, I have seen how systems can overlook or minimize individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.
An example where I see this value most needed in our current practice and policy is immigration reform. I’ve witnessed how Immigration debates often reduce people to labels; “undocumented,” “asylum seeker,” “migrant.” Grounding reform in dignity ensures policies recognize migrants as full human beings with histories, families, and aspirations, not as administrative problems to be managed.
Policies rooted in dignity reject practices that dehumanize - family separation, prolonged detention, unsafe conditions, or barriers to due process. Instead, they promote reforms that safeguard basic rights, access to legal representation, and protection from exploitation or abuse. I acknowledge this will require intentional listening, cultural humility, and an understanding of how structural barriers impact lived experiences, all skills and experiences I expect to build upon through graduate work. This value guides my approach to practice by reminding me to see clients as experts of their own lives, honor their strengths, and advocate for environments that affirm their humanity. By centering dignity and worth, I aim to build trust, promote empowerment, and contribute to more equitable and ethical social work practice.
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Ok, WOW! When I first read her words, of course I was proud. But what caught me off guard wasn’t just how good it was. It was the realization that I wasn’t just reading my daughter’s work.
I was meeting her as an adult.
A fully formed, deeply thinking, purpose-driven woman. A woman whose perspective has been shaped not just by her upbringing, but by her own experiences, her own questions, her own convictions. She’s stepping into conversations and spaces that are complex and meaningful, with a confidence and awareness that doesn’t come from her Father or me, it comes from her.
That realization was a little breathtaking! Because as parents, we spend years believing we are shaping them, right? We attempt to actively guide every step and influence every outcome. But then something like this lands in your hands, and you realize your role has shifted from active to passive. Your role was never to build the whole person...it was to love her. Support her. Give her a foundation strong and stable enough that she could go out and build herself.
Megan's insight, her leadership, her voice...none are things Matt nor I can take credit for. They belong to her. Fully. Earned through her own discipline, her empathy, her education and experiences, her willingness to sit in hard questions and not look away.
I'll admit, there's a small, nostalgic ache in my Mama heart upon recognizing Megan no longer needs my active assistance in becoming who she will be. She already is! But there’s also something even more powerful I feel growing each day she steps out into the world...a quiet kind of wonder at the woman she is, and the work she feels called to do.
This is a new chapter of motherhood for me, one where I’m not leading the way, but standing beside her, watching her step into her own. It’s a surreal and beautiful thing to realize that the little girl you once held is now someone you learn from, someone you admire. Someone who causes you to pause and attempt to be more thoughtful. More brave. More compassionate. Someone who is steady in her desire to make things better for others and challenges those around her to want the same.
Megan Juhl - we will forever be in awe of the good you do. If your future work is rooted in dignity, compassion, and justice the way your words are, I have no doubt you will leave a meaningful mark on the world and on the people lucky enough to cross your path. The future feels brighter because you are in it, and I savor the HOPE that makes me feel. Shine on, sweet girl! And keep using your light to open doors and lift others along the way. We love you incredibly so and could not be more proud.Windy City - here she comes!
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